Film challenges the Fed, income tax

'From Freedom to Fascism' latest movie from Libertarian Aaron Russo

A new documentary dealing with the Federal Reserve system, income tax and government power is making its way around the nation this year, telling the story of “America: From Freedom to Fascism.”

border=0 width=126 height=160>Aaron Russo

The film was created by Aaron Russo, a Libertarian presidential candidate in 2004 and longtime movie producer. After losing the presidential nomination to Michael Badnarik, Russo began working on creating the documentary.

Making its way through Oregon last week, the film pre-screened in Spokane, Wash., Monday and now is on its way to Illinois and Michigan, according to an online schedule of showings. It is set to hit theaters across the nation this summer.

“America: From Freedom to Fascism” pegs 1913 as the year the United States lost its freedom. That was the year the Federal Reserve banking system was put into place and a federal income tax was instituted.

“In 1913, America was a free country,” states capital white letters on a black background at the start of the film’s online trailer. “Then a band of powerful bankers achieved their fathers’ and great grandfathers’ goal. America has never been the same. Soon the world will not be the same.”

States author Michael Ruppert in the trailer: “The Federal Reserve is no more federal than Federal Express.”

“Why did we give a monopoly of creating money out of thin air to a private corporation?” “tax honesty” activist Franklin Sanders adds.

The documentary’s website describes the film as “an expos? of the Internal Revenue Service” that “proves conclusively there is no law requiring an American citizen to pay a direct unapportioned tax on their labor.”

Declares tax attorney Peter Gibbons on the trailer: “There is no constitutional basis for a tax on the wages of Americans living and working in the 50 states of the union. Period. End of argument.”

Said Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas: “You have to get permission from the government for almost everything, and if that is the definition of a police state, that you can’t do anything unless you get the government’s permission, then we’re well on our way.”

Another contributor wonders if “terrorism” will be an appropriate label for government force in the United States.

“What happens if your own government is using more force, more coercion on its own citizens for the purpose of achieving its political ends?” asks Ed Viera, a professor of constitutional law. “Is that government engaged in terrorism?”

States one review of the film posted on its website: “Russo is a bulldog as he prowls halls of government trying to get someone to just show him the law that says a working citizen in the United States owes an income tax, or just to acknowledge prior Supreme Court rulings on the subject. Clips of press conferences and television interviews and news cuttings reveal obfuscation, saber rattling and threats, but not one answer that clearly defines the law, the statutes or the tax obligations of American citizens.”

Another reviewer opines: “Aaron Russo has earned his place in the preferred section of heaven with this film, and the nation owes him a large debt of gratitude for having produced it. Eliciting cheers and tears from the audience, ‘America: From Freedom to Fascism’ is incredibly moving and effective.”

Some of Russo’s previous film credits include Bette Midler’s “The Rose,” “Trading Places” and “The Teacher.”